Compare the2024 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2024 BMW 3 Series Sedan

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes E-Class Sedan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes E-Class Sedan are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the E-Class Sedan. But it costs extra on the 3 Series Sedan.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The E-Class Sedan has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

The E-Class Sedan has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 3 Series Sedan’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the E-Class Sedan has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the 3 Series Sedan and the 3 Series Sedan’s Cross Traffic Warning does not include automatic braking.

Both the E-Class Sedan and the 3 Series Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

There are over 10 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class Sedan’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class Sedan gets better mileage than the 3 Series Sedan running its gasoline engine:

The E-Class Sedan has 6.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan 330e’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The E-Class Sedan has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 15.6 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class Sedan higher (7 to 8 out of 10) than the BMW 3 Series Sedan (5 to 7). This means the E-Class Sedan produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 3 Series Sedan every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 3 Series Sedan.

For better stopping power the E 450 Sedan’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 3 Series Sedan:

For better traction, the E-Class Sedan’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Sedan (F:245/45R19 & R:275/40R19 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

The E-Class Sedan’s 245/35R21 front and 275/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 3 Series Sedan’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the E-Class Sedan has standard 21-inch wheels. The 3 Series Sedan’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The E-Class Sedan has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the 3 Series Sedan (116.6 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the E-Class Sedan is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 3 Series Sedan.

For better maneuverability, the E 350 Sedan’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The E-Class Sedan has a much larger trunk than the 3 Series Sedan (19.1 vs. 13 cubic feet).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the 3 Series Sedan, the E-Class Sedan has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The E-Class Sedan’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The E-Class Sedan’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the 3 Series Sedan only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the E-Class Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the E-Class Sedan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the E-Class Sedan keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The E-Class Sedan offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 3 Series Sedan.

The E-Class Sedan’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The 3 Series Sedan’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the BMW 3 Series isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or station wagon.